UC-NRLF 


SbO    416 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OF 


..  ...... 


Class       ; 


//r 


THE 

SUFISM  OF  THE 
RUBAIYAT 


OR  THE   SECRET   OF 
THE  GREAT  PARADOX 

ITS 


SEAL 


BY 

NORTON  F.  W.  HAZELDINE 
SECOND  EDITION 

Copyrighted  1908 


PREFACE 

In  placing  this  volume  before  the  public  I  only 
hope  that  I  may  be  able  to  convey  to  my  readers 
the  higher  and  deeper  truths  of  this  most  famous  of 
Persian  Poets,  who  so  ably  attempted  to  portray  to 
his  countrymen  the  benevolent  God  the  subtle  life 
within  the  grosser  of  our  material  forms. 

Also  the  mysterious  force  within  the  grape,  which 
renders  possible  fermentation,  thereby  changing  its 
character  from  matter  to  spirit.  Therefore,  I  sin- 
cerely trust  that  this  may  be  a  means  to  enlighted 
many  seekers  after  truth,  and  to  my  Critics  will  but 
add  this  line,  * '  that  they  in  me  can  find  no  opponent 
for  them,"  for  what  little  I  have  done  has  been 
to  bless,  to  illuminate,  not  destroy  the  works 
of  others,  to  whom  myself  with  the  rest  of  the 
world's  readers  owe  our  many  thanks.  Hoping  that 
all  may  realize  the  spirit  in  which  I  here  present  it, 
and  may  it  comfort  and  bless  those  who  read  to 
learn  of  its  sublime  truths,  is  the  sincere  wish  of  thy 
brother  man. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


NOTES 


RUBAIYAT.  A  reading  between  the  lines,  a 
meaning,  within  a  meaning,  a  paradox. 

OMAR  KHAYYAM.  The  Tent  Maker,  an  ancient 
Persian  manner  of  expression  signifying  the  Su- 
preme Creator,  for  a  tent  to  their  minds  repre- 
sented the  universe,  the  earth  formed  its  level  or 
floor,  and  the  heavens  its  canopy.  Again,  the 
expression  Astronomer  Poet  was  another  title  for 
the  Creator.  He  who  laid  out  the  heavens  as  a 
garden  and  placed  the  stars  in  design  or  order. 
He  was  also  the  Controller  of  the  seasons,  the 
Lord  of  the  Vernal  Equinox  and  the  Prince  of 
Horsemen. 

IRAM.  The  nameless  center  of  the  universe,  the 
womb  from  whence  all  things  are  born;  the 
heavenly  garden  where  Jamshyd  the  King  of 
Splendor  (or  wisdom)  sits  enthroned,  and  reads 
from  out  the  seven  orbited  cup  (the  inverted 
heaven)  wherein  the  orbits  of  the  seven  planets  cir- 
cle around  within  its  sphere,  and  there  divines  the 
astronomical  mysteries  of  the  seasons,  years  and 
all  hidden  things. 

RUSTUM  and  ZAL.  The  personification  of  the 
universal  positive  and  negative  creative  energies, 
the  elements  of  causation,  the  great  opposities, 
summer  and  winter,  youth  and  age,  etc. 

HATIM  TAI.  The  personification  of  charity,  be- 
nevolence and  generosity. 

TAKHT-I-  JAMSHYD.  The  thron^ofjjvisdom, 
the  mid-heaven,  whereon  Jamshyd  the  Kingj^of 
Splendor  (or  wisdom)  symbolized  by  the  [sun 

171857 


NOTES—  Continued 

when  he  reaches  his  zenith  at  high  noon.  The 
ancient  Persians  like  the  more  modern  Parsee  do 
not  worship  the  Sun  as  God,  but  to  them  it  is  the 
symbol  of  God,  the  All  Seeing  Eye,  the  Surveyor 
of  the  worlds,  etc. 

BAHRAM  GUR.  This  character  symbolizes  the 
sun  in  the  astronomical  sign  of  Sagittarius 
wherein  he  represents  the  ass  or  old  year,  which 
will  soon  be  lost  in  the  swamps  of  winter  or  the 
sign  of  Capricorn,  the  extreme  point  of  the  south- 
ern ecliptic. 

SATURN.  Lord  of  the  Seventh  Heaven,  the  sym- 
bol of  old  age  or  ripeness. 

MAH  to  MA  HI.  From  fish  to  moon,  an  expression 
denoting  the  period  from  conception  to  birth,  the 
state  of  transition  between  matter  and  spirit  and 
between  life  and  death,  or  as  we  use  the  same 
expression  in  the  words  "it  is  neither  fish  nor 
fowl/' 

PAR  WIN.  The  Pleiades,  the  symbol  of  spiritu- 
ality, gentleness,  kindness,  etc. 

MUSHTARI.  The  Planet  Jupiter,  the  symbol  of 
benevolence,  religion,  toleration  andjrig  hearted- 
ness. 

RAMAZAN.  The  lunar  month,  beginning  about 
the  middle  of  March  and  ending  about  the  middle 
of  April;  it  is  the  Easter  of  the  Mohammedans, 
the  birth  of  regeneration  or  the  spring. 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


e  &uftem  of  tfje  &utmipat 


AWAKE!  AWAKE!     Oh,  slumbering  souls, 

Arise  like  HIM  who  rules  the  morn  and  leads  forth 
the  stars  with  song. 

Oh,  Master  hail  to  Thee!  strike  Thou  with  Wis- 
dom's shafts  the  enemies  of  man's  progression, 

Thou  who  art  known  as  the  Dispeller  of  Mortal 
Darkness  and  the  Light  of  the  Life  to  Come. 

Lead  us  by  that  Sure  Path  to  where  the  SPIRITUAL 
SUN  doth  rise  and  where  MORTAL  DARKNESS  sets 
beyond  the  clouds  of  FEAR,  ANGER,  SORROW, 

INDOLENCE   and    CRIME, 

Where  THE  GREAT  PEACE  reigns  and  THOU  OH  LORD 
ABIDEST. 


And  before  the  *FALSE  MORN  of  Earthly  Life  doth 
fade,  that  Voice  Supreme  within  this  TAVERN 
cries, 

The  Sacrifice  is  ready,  loiter  not  outside,  all  is  pre- 
pared, enter  in,  those  wishing  here  to  pray. 

This  is  the  way  by  which  the  soul  doth  learn,  of  GOD, 

Of   WORLDS,    of   THINGS   KNOWN   and   UNKNOWN. 

Whilst  those  who  worship  through  man's  carved 
creeds,  pomps,  rituals  and  dumb  forms, 

*The  False  Dawn  is  the  reflection  of  the  coming  day  upon  the 
horizon  before  the  sun  is  high  enough  to  reflect  himself  or  the  true  dawn. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


Worship  like  tongueless  bells  seeking  to  sound  their 

tidings  to  the  world. 
All  cries  within  THINK!  THINK!  THINK!     It  was  not 

WORSE  BEFORE,  NOR  BETTER  THAN  'TIS  NOW. 


Then  the  Higher  Nature  springs  up  the  old  to  greet, 
which  always  dwells  within  the  doors  where 
intelligence  doth  live. 

And  with  a  mighty  shout  calls  OPEN  WIDE!  COME 
FORTH!  MY  PEACE  i  BRING,  IN  TRUTH  i  GREET 

ALL  YE  WHO  LOVE  THE  TRUE. 

Earthly  Life  is  short;  oh,  slumber  not  I  pray,  for 
once  ye  have  onward  passed,  prayers  and  re- 
pentance then  are  vain. 

Seek  while  on  earth  the  HEAVENLY  GOAL  to  find, 
for  MORTAL  LIFE  is  short  and  Monies  but  once! 

Take  heed,   TIME  is  LIFE'S  JEWEL!   MARK  WELL, 

THIS  IS  THE  WAY. 


Thus  the  NEW  YEAR  OF  LIFE  has  now  commenced 
and  the  awakened  soul  is  revived  with  a  love 
of  knowledge  deep  and  true, 

Which  was  written  of  by  *MOSA;  HE  OF  THE  WHIT- 

*The  White  Hand  of  Moses  does  not  here  signify  leprosy,  but  the 
white  hand  of  truth,  honesty  and  friendship.  It  did  not  signify  the 
color  of  his  skin  then,  any  more  than  it  does  now,  but  simply  a  moral 
qualification.  Thus  the  white  hand  of  Moses  (or  wisdom)  was  des- 
cribed by  the  ancient  Hebrews  as  "One  who  was  slow  of  speech;"  and 
though  apparently  it  may  take  longer  to  express  itself  than  untruth  or 
dishonesty  in  the  realm  of  mental  evolution,  yet  in  the  end  its  victory 
is  complete. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


ENED    HAND    and    TONGUE    THAT    WAS    SLOW    OF 
SPEECH. 

Under  the  TREE  of  LIFE  whose  roots  in  the  lives  of 
all  are  planted  deep. 

This  is  the  SAVIOUR  OF  WELL-BEING  in  which  all  EX- 
ISTENCE RESTS  and  BREATHES. 


The  night  indeed  hath  passed  away,  and  with  it  gone 

that  CAUSE  OF  ALL  DECAY. 

*The  King  of  Splendor    holding  the  Seven  Orbed 

Cup  of  Wisdom  to  the  earth, 
Through  which  the  Powers  of  Divination  came  to 

their  birth  in  man;  commanded,  all  life's  powers 

to  control,  though  living  here  in  clay: 
None  but  the  Wise  may  DIVINE  this  POWER! 

Nor  none  may  of  its  commencement  know,  nor 

of  its  end, 

Till  they  the  answer  for  themselves  have  wrung. 
fWhere  gushes  the  RUBY  of  the  VINE,  that  many 

a  past  recollection  has  stored  in  the  Garden  of 

Immortal  Memory. 
Which  when  watered  by  past  experience  brings  forth 

WELL  RIPENED  FRUIT. 

6 

JThe  soul  of  man,  the  LIPS  OF  THE  BELOVED,  in  that 

*The  King  of  Splendor  here  represents  the  transcending  of  the 
SUPREME  INTELLIGENCE  into  the  realm  of  intellect  or  the  objective 
world. 

tOr  the  fountain  head  from  whence  flows  the  life  forces . 

jThe  soul  of  man  is  here  called  the  Lips  of  God,  through  which 
the  Spiritual  Voice  speaks  in  a  different  tone,  or  a  high,  inspiring  sound. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


high  inspiring  voice  with  which  that  INNER 

MAN  doth  speak, 
Cries,  LIVE!  LIVE!  Live   an  active   useful  life;  the 

Nightingale,  that  Bird  of  night, 
Calls  to  the  Beauteous  Rose  that  blooms  by  day, 

to  bring  life's  color  to  her  sallow  cheek. 
So  doth  this  Voice  Divine  bid  us,  to  turn  to  WINE 

the  WATERS  of  DOUBT  and  COLD  DESPAIR. 
Thus  the  DEEP   from  out    the    DEEP  doth  call,  in 

voice  of  thunder,  HEAR  ye   all!  MAN   is   BORN 

TO  LIVE. 


*Then  take  this  CUP  and  with  the  FIRE  of  RESOLU- 
TION fill,  lay  now  aside  forevermore  those  gar- 
ments Of  FEAR  and  INDOLENCE. 

The  time  on  earth  is  far  too  short  to  waste  on  self 

upbraidings; 
Nor  stand  ye  shivering  on  the  banks  of  repentance, 

but  seek  deliverance  within. 
For  the  BIRD  of  LIFE  has  TAKEN  WING. 

8 
t  Whether  one  in  order  or  confusion  lives,  or  whether 


*The  cup  here  denotes  the  earthly  life,  which  must  be  filled  with 
resolution  to  succeed. 

tThe  sweets  of  this  life  refers  to  the  worldly  pleasure,  the  sensu- 
ous enjoyments,  which  retard  our  spiritual  progress  here  and  for  which 
we  suffer  in  the  next  if  we  become  a  slave  to  them  in  this  life. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


one  of  the  sweets  of  this  life  eats,  which  in  the 
next  the  bitter  must  become, 

*Or  those  who  on  the  bitter  live  which  in  the  next 
the  sweet  becomes;  the  LAW  OF  COMPENSATION 
surely  straightens  out. 

The  WINE  of  LIFE  is    KNOWLEDGE   GAINED,  On    which 

no  claims  can  Justice  lay. 

The  LEAVES  of  LIFE  are  USELESS  WORKS  for  which 
Justice  decrees  that  RIGHTEOUS  ONES  MUST  BE 

PERFORMED  TO  BALANCE  LIFERS  ACCOUNT. 
9 

Each  month  a  thousand  new  thoughts  bring  but  of 
the  thoughts  of  yesterday  which  brought  the 
fSummer  Bearing  Rose  to  view, 

On  which  the  King  of  Splendor  sits  and  rules,  all 
reverence  be. 

OH,  THOU  OF  PRISTINE  PURITY,  MASTER  AND  DREAD 
JUDGE  OF  ALL  THAT  BREATHES,  WHO  ART  THE 
LIGHT  WITHIN  THE  LIGHT,  AND  WHO  OF  NO 
DISTINCTIONS  KNOWS. 

10 

Rest  well  content;  what  matters  it  to  you,  whether 
the  dead  do  live?  The  quick  do  surely  die. 

*The  bitter  here  refers  to  the  virtuous,  strenuous  life,  the  life  of 
denying,  renouncing  the  so-called  pleasures,  the  seeking  to  conquer 
our  animal  qualities. 

fThe  Rose  is  here  used  as  an  interrogation  point,  meaning  to  ask 
the  question,  where  springs  forth  the  spirit  of  regeneration  I  wherewith 
a  man  from  evil  is  reclaimed? 


10  THF,  SUFISM  OF  THE 


Let  argument  and  praise  thunder  as  they  may,  and 
though  the  loud  voice  of  orthodoxy  bid  you 

to  the  FEAST  of  DREAD,  FEAR  and  ARROGANCE, 

take  thou  no  heed. 
All  life  and  death  are  but  transcending  states,  all 

is  LIFE  and  all  is  DEATH  to  those  who  know 

where  DEATH  is  DEAD. 
*Thus  learn  of  sleep  its  opposite  awake,  from  sor- 

row learn  of  joy,  for  between  these  PARALLELS 

doth  that  STREAM  most  surely  flow, 
Which  is  bereft  of  NAME,  of  FORM,  of  LIFE,  of  DEATH  ! 
It  is  THAT  which  we  know  as  THE  INFINITE,  from 

whence  come  all,  and  whither  all  again  do  go. 

11 

Thus  between  the  lines  of  love  and  hate,  of  pure, 
and  impure,  the  modest,  and  unchaste,  lust  of 
days  and  lust  of  fame, 

The  RIVER  of  CONTENTMENT  smoothly  flows. 

The  name  of  slave  and  monarch  cease  to  be,  PEACE 

IS    THE  NAMES  OF  ALL   IN    THE    INFINITE    UNITY. 
12 

The  BOOK  of  LIFE  beneath  the  fTREE,  a  Jjug  of  wine, 

*Death  is  not  found  in  the  state  of  Infinitude,  thus  death  ceases 
to  be  when  the  Infinite  is  reached. 

tThe  Tree  of  Knowledge. 

JThe  jug  of  wine  here  denotes  the  life  of  opportunities,  the  loaf 
of  bread  experience,  with  which  we  wisdom  learn  and  thus  memory 
perfect. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


a  loaf  of  bread,  and  thou,  oh  Memory,  well 
stored  with  SACRED  LORE, 

What  wilderness  of  life  doth  not  then  a  paradise 
become? 


13 


Sigh  not  in  vain  for  what  can  never  be,  the  glories 

of  the  morn  depart  as  wanes  the  day. 
So  with  each  succeeding  race  to  come  the  Christian 

Heaven  or  the  Heathen  Hell  will  but  live  in 

the  dead  words  of  memory. 
Every   generation   a   higher   conception   grasps   of 

Creation's  Laws  the  CAUSE  DIVINE  of  LIFE. 
So  take  the  real,  no  matter  what  'tis  styled,  whether 

GOD,     JEHOVAH,     CHRIST,     or     BUDDHA,     DJAINA, 
BRAHM. 

It  is  the  same  the  sages  say,  though  called  by 
various  names,  and  those  who  stand  the  PATH 
to  bar, 

Which  unto  that  TEMPLE  of  SUPREME  PEACE  leads, 
are  but  the  wanton  enemies  of  GOD  and  MAN. 


14 


Look  around  and  note  what  in  all  nature  sighs  of 

self: 
Willingly  she  yields  the  bounty  of  her  love,  Spring 

unto  Summer,   Summer  to  Autumn  pledged; 


12  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


Winter  that  Chariot  of  Sorrow  to  the    Steeds  of 

Spring  is  yoked  fast. 
Live  as  it  were  in  this  sorrow,  from  its  conquest 

comes    the    reward;    what    ended    last    night 

in  tempest  will  with  the  dawn  become  calm. 
That  for  which  self  in  sorrow  sighs,would  surely  if 

gratified  sting,  for  real  prayer  cannot  be  of- 

fered,  till   the    *HEART  FROM  DESIRE  HAS  BEEN 
FREED. 

Hold  thyself  as  the  rose  its  petals,  which  when 
bloomed,  casts  its  treasures  of  beauty  and  per- 
fume, into  the  GARDEN  called  EARTH. 

15 

Learn  then  in  life  from  uselessness  and  use,  and 

cast  not  aside  OPPORTUNITY,  YOUTH'S  GOLDEN 

CROWN. 
For  they  who  shun  such  moments  like  desert  wastes 

become,  which  must  be  dug  and  watered  again 

and  yet  again, 
Before  the  grain  will  start  and  bring  forth  well 

nourished  fruit. 

16 

Vain  are  the  worldly  desires  upon  which  men  set 
their  hearts:  like  a  fool  who  in  a  mirror  looks 
and  wisdom  there  perceives, 

*Selfishness  stands  in  the  way  of  spiritual  supplication;  the 
prayers  for  the  things  which  in  themselves  are  forever  changing  cannot 
be  profitable  to  any  one,  but  the  prayers  which  spring  from  the  heart 
for  its  emancipation  are  the  prayers  which  count. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


So  do  the  desires  of  men  deceive  them,  for  all  CRE- 
ATED THINGS  do  surely  perish. 

And  though  the  like  may  prosper  for  awhile,  there 
comes  unerringly  the  fate  to  all  structures  that 
upon  the  sands  are  built! 

They  from  sight  for  aye  do  pass  away. 

17 

Think  not  this  life  of  joy  and  woe  the  only  life 
there  is  to  know? 

It  is  but  here  our  earthly  task,  which  when  com- 
pleted, fades  from  view,  when  its  destined  hour 
arrives, 

INTO    THAT    PEACE    WHICH    FOR    ETERNITY    ENDURES. 

18 

*The  Courts  wherein  the  KING  of  SPLENDOR  holds 
full  sway,  betwixt  the  EAGLE  and  the  BULL  and 
where  the  LION  and  the  MAN  do  play; 

HE  there  glories  and  drinks  deep  each  day  at  noon, 
then  falling  from  HIS  throne  is  speeded  to  HIS 
doom. 

This  is  the  SPARKLING  WINE  of  which  all  on  earth 
may  drink,  that  brings  the  harvest  to  the  barn, 

And  is  that  GREAT  CAUSE  OF  LIFE  which  none  can 
turn,  nor  yet  its  harmony  destroy. 

*The  Courts  here  represent  the  heavens,  the  King  of  Splendor 
the  Sun  in  the  month  of  JUNE  when  at  twelve  high  noon  the  Sun  is  then 
in  15  degrees  of  Cancer,  when  the  signs  of  TAURUS,  Leo,  Scorpio  and 
Aquarius  which  form  the  signs  of  the  Equinox  are  at  the  feet  as  it  were 
of  the  Celestrial  King. 


14  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


19 

What  puts  value  on  some  deed,  some  thought,  some 

fondly  cherished  memory  of  a  friend  or  future 

hope? 
Answer    you    who    value    give    and  take,    WORK! 

LOVE!  GRIEF!  and  PAIN! 
Work  gives  the  value  to  deeds  done  and  undone, 

love  adds  her  charm  as  does  the  twilight  to  the 

sun; 
Grief  brings  us  fear,  that  subtle  mental  pain,  which 

binds  to  earth,  till  DEATH  THE  KNOT  UNTIES. 

20 

Ah,  this  ^REVIVING  HERB  that's  called  the  FUTURE 
STATE,  upon  its  lovely  lips,  hangs  the  DEW  OF 

HOLIER  THINGS. 

Thine  is  the  fRUBY  which  is  set  in  VIRGIN  GOLD,  and 
those  who  know  the  -FOUNTAIN  HEAD  from 
whence  streams  forth  that  LIGHT  DIVINE, 

Have  stood  FACE  TO  FACE  WITH  GOD,  and  from  the 

BONDS  OF  DEATH  ARE  FREE. 
21 

Thus  break  thou  from  this  wheel  of  strife  and  stress, 
with  all  its  sorrows,  fleeting,  joys  and  chilling 
feaxs; 

*The  Reviving  Herb  stands  here  for  immortality. 
*The  Ruby  here  represents  the  sum  total  of  life's  experience, 
which  is  set  in  Virgin  Gold  or  the  ring  of  eternity. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAjyAT  15 

Thine  *arrow  having  plucked  from  out  thy  flesh, 
no  more  are  pain  and  grief,  thy  sorrows  ended 
are, 

Tomorrow,  what?  fThou  with  thy  past  totalities 

shall  be  joined  again. 

22 

That  which  is  JFINITE  is  revealed,  that  which  is 
INFINITE  is  concealed,  this  pair  the  part  of 
Father  and  Mother  play,  till  time  their  pur- 
pose doth  make  plain. 

What  to  our  senses  seemed  so  fair,  that  which  our 
minds  so  oft  aside  have  cast; 

That  which  in  void  and  emptiness  lay  hidden,  has 
the  FAIREST  of  the  FAIR  become,  when  freed 
from  PRISON. 

23 

That  which  was  the  DARKNESS  in  the  DARKNESS 
hidden,  that  which  was  JOY  enrobed  in  SOR- 
ROW'S somber  garb  calls, 

We  who  make  merry  in  this  hostelry  of  life,  return 
the  robe  of  earth  to  HIM  who  will  another  body 
make,  for  some  soul  to  upward  take,  upon  its 
homeward  way. 


*Pride,  Anger,  Fear,  and  Greed,  which  are  the  parents  of  all  ills. 
fThe  unity  with  your  past  existences  for  life  belongs  to  all  times 
and  to  all  planes. 

JThe  Finite  is  the  objective  or  revealed,  the  Infinite  is  the  sub- 
jective or  concealed.  vi  i  A 

•OF  THE     "        \ 

I    UNIVERSITY    ! 


16  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


24 


The  only  thing  of  profit  here  to  take  is  the  Good  from 

all  things,  which  causes  hurt  to  none. 
Those  who  otherwise  partake,  the  LAW  pronounces 

invalid,  which  like  the  dust  must  to  the  dust 

descend. 

Yet  in  that  dust  the  GOLDEN  GERM  is  found,  which 
like  a  thought,  a  seed  brought  forth  that  ripened 

fruit  may  bear. 
So  comes  forth  again  the  BREATH,  the  BIRTH,  the 

LIVING  and  the  END. 


25 


Look  not  to  the  morrow  to  solve  thy  doubts,  nor 

question  oracles  for  good  or  better  days, 
As  naught  from  the  SILENCE  SPEAKS  but  THOU,  OH 

VOICE  DIVINE,  the  DWELLER  of  the  HEART,  who 

bidest  all  perform  good  works. 
No  day  on  earth  is  better  than  the  rest,  each  day 

is  what  you  make  it,  neither  more  nor  less. 
They  who  deliverance  seek  beyond  the  clouds,  and 

they  who    look    for    reward    of    good    works 

done,  both  here  themselves  deceive. 
REWARDS  my  friends  are  neither  THEN  nor  THERE, 

REWARDS     ARE     SENT    TO     THOSE     RIGHT     HERE, 
WHO  MAKE  NO  CLAIM  ON  MERIT  WON. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAjyAT  17 

26 

Neither  the  sages  of  the  past,  nor  those  yet  forth  to 
come,  nor  what  the  books  have  said  though  of 
Holy  Men  inspired,  do  Him  reveal. 

To  us  HE  only  doth  reveal  HIMSELF  in  WORKS,  in 
ACTS,  in  DEEDS  done  and  undone,  and  by  no 
other  way  may  we  hope  HIM  to  KNOW  or  SEE. 

It  is  but  the  foolish  who  cry  I  SAVE!  I  SAVE!! 

For  unto  the  smallest  insect,  not  again  can  they 
impart  that  BREATH  DIVINE  when  it  has  on- 
ward fled. 

Such  claims  as  these,  which  some  lips  here  do  make, 
by  WISER  LORE  are  closed  AT  LAST. 

27 

Why  then  consult  the  Doctor  or  the  Saint,  they  both 

from  the  same  place  came,  and  both  to  the  same 

place  go. 
But  if  for  confirmation  of  the  Future  Life  ye  seek, 

look   to   the   Universe   and    know    the    same 

GREAT  CAUSE  that  cast   its   mould   gave  you 

your  birth  of  clay. 
THINK!  KNOW  THAT  THOU  AND  IT   ARE  PART  AND 

PART,  OF  WHICH  BEGINNING  SAW  NO  DAWN,  AND 

EVE  NO  ENDING. 
The  same  doth  regulate  the  hours,  the  days,  the 

weeks,  the  years,  the  INFINITE  TIME  SPACE,  and 

likewise  thine. 


18  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


28 

Thlc  then  is  the  Law  of  Fate  and  how  of  the  way  of 

Freedom  all  may  learn,  who  freedom  seek. 
Know  thou  that  THOUGHTS  MATURE  INTO  DEEDS 

AND  ACTS!  AND  ALL  SEEDS  SOWN  IN  THE  FLESH 
SHALL  RIPEN  WITH  THY  YEARS. 

This  life  is  but  the  harvest  of  what  you've  sown 
before;  sift  out  the  tares  before  thou  cast  THE 

GRAIN  FOR  FUTURE  YEARS. 

29 

Out  of  the  Endless  came  I  here!     Into  the  Endless 

will  I  once  more  flow; 
Out  of  it  again  in  trust  I  come!     Better  for  the 

TRAILS   OF  DUST  BELOW. 

30 

Ushered  into  being  by  an  Endless  Unspent  Cause 
which  moveth  unto  good,  and  by  all  on  earth 
adored. 

Whence  and  where  I  went,  only  in  deep  reverence 
these  words  were  spoke, 

Oh  Cup,  from  whence  the  very  Gods  have  drunk, 
*EXPERIENCE  is  thy  name,  Oh  let  me  freely 
drink  from  THEE,  THOU  SLAYER  OF  MY  FOES. 


^Experience  is  the  only  teacher,  and  thus  becomes  our  liberator 
from  the  bonds  of  selfishness  and  greed,  the  parents  of  crime  and  ignor- 
ance. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAT  19 


31 


What  is  it  but  madness  to  compare  yesterday's 
sorrows  with  today's  despairs,  or  tomorrow's 
triumphs? 

For  they  but  lend  the  means  to  quicken  our  percep- 
tions of  whence  we  came,  why,  and  whither  we 

go- 
Drink  thou  of  Life's  Ruby  Wine,  and  to  those  who 

dare  for  more  to  ask  within  themselves  the 

answer  will  be  found! 
DRINK  DEEP!  THIS  is  ENOUGH!! 


32 


*What  if  the  Sun  of  the  Moon  should  question  WHY? 
What  if  the  Stars  of  the  World  should  ask, 
where  did  you  die,  for  what,  when  and  why? 

Friends,  deep  in  the  hearts  of  all  a  Voice  exclaims, 
cease,  why,  what,  whence,  and  where,  the  solu- 
tion thus,  is  never  found. 

Dismiss  the  I,  dismiss  the  YOU,  with  you  and  I  dis- 
missed, the  UNIVERSE  is  THOU,  in  which  is 
found  neither  what,  why,  whence,  where  nor 
how. 


*The  moral  to  this  paragraph  is  simply  waste  not  your  time  ID 
questioning,  but  act,  and  thus  through  action  the  knowledge  you  will 

era  in 


gain. 


20  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


33 

Then  waste  not  thy  life  in  the  letter  of  dispute,  argu- 

ment is  death  to  the  voicing  of  the  Truth. 
Religion    debate    with    none.      For    it   but   tends 

to  widen  out  the    breach  and  thus  defeat  its 

ends. 
Let  thine   acts   declare  the  life  within,   happiness 

doth  express  the  soul  that  dwells  therein. 
While  SADNESS  that  BITTER  FRUIT  which  has  been 

here  maintained,  is  the  VINE   from   which  all 

LIFE  its  being  drew, 
Ah  friends,  this  is  an  error  sad   indeed,  for  HAPPI- 

NESS WAS  THE  GRAPE  from  which  the  WINE  OF 

LIFE     WAS     PRESSED,     NOT     SORROW'S     PRICKLY 
PEARS. 

34 

From  those  FAIR  POINTS  the  *FIVE  GREAT  TRUTHS, 
by  which  we're  RAISED  by  MASTER  HANDS, 

Their  SECRETS  then  within  the  MAN  are  placed, 
GUARD  WELL!  For  once  REVEALED  NO  MORE  CAN 

THEY  BE  HID  ! 

Thus  born  of  FIRE  the  CAUSE  of  LIFE  SUPREME,  in 
EARTH  your  soul  was  cast,  in  AIR  thy  thoughts 
took  wing. 


*Here  refers  to  our  intellectual  senses,  or  Intuition,  Perception, 
Retention,  Imagination  and  Analization,  which  raise  us  from  our  lower 
or  physical  conditions,  and  exalt  us  into  our  spiritual  or  higher  nature. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAx  21 

And  from  the  BROODING  WATERS,  KNOWLEDGE  took 
shape  and  came,  as  the  means  of  man's  DELIV- 
ERANCE from  BIRTH  and  from  the  GRAVE. 

This  TRIPLE  KNOWLEDGE  has  been  told  how  EARTH 
the  BODY  is,  and  FIRE  the  SOUL,  AIR  is  LIFE'S 
THOUGHTS,  and  the  WATERS  the  SACRED  LORE 
CONTAIN. 

EARTH   the  INFANT,  FIRE   the  YOUTH,  the  WATERS 

ENLIGHTENED    MANHOOD,    and   AIR   the    CARRIER 
tO  the  GREAT  UNKNOWN  BEYOND  THE  GRAVE. 
Of    Which     DEATH     IS    THE      MESSENGER,      NOT     THE 

STING,  and  the  GRAVE  the  SEPARATION  OF 
LIFE'S  ELEMENTS,  AND  HENCE  THE  VICTORY  OF 
ALL  LIVING  "THINGS. 

35 

Thus  in  the  earth  thy  roots  of  life  are  struck,  and 
from  thy  mother  receive  their  nourishment. 

Quickened  into  BEING  by  that  CAUSE  DIVINE,  TO 
BE!  WHO  hands  to  thee  the  clay  *to  mould, 
Oh  FRIEND,  to  mould? 

36 

And  this  all  here  may  know,  how  came  the  FIRST 
GREAT  LIGHT  to  earth,  that  KINDLER  of  LOV  's 
FLAME,  that  CONSUMER  of  earthly  HATE. 


*A11  beings  are  created  equal,  and  each  for  himself  must  indi 
vidualize  his  work  or  actions. 


22  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


When  them  hast  received  one  ray  of  this  IMPERISH- 
ABLE TJGHT  then  thou  art  saved  *THOUGH  THY 

TEMPLE  IS  DESTROYED. 

37 

Up  to  the  Eternals  cast  thy  weary  eyes,  earth  is  not 
thy  home,  no  more  than  heavenly  skies. 

Question  those  Heavenly  fSymbols  of  Mars  the  God 
of  War,  Jupiter  of  Benevolence,  Mercury  of 
Lore,  Venus  of  Life's  Pleasures. 

Saturn  of  Old  Age,  ask  Uranus  of  what  is  hidden, 
the  Moon  of  Bringing  Forth,  and  the  Sun  of 
Life's  Fecundity,  and  each  will  in  turn  declare 
that  they  like  thee  are  dependants, 

Upon  that  ONE  GREAT  CAUSE  to  share,  the  knowledge 
of  their  being,  which  all  may  read  WHO  DARE. 

38 

Here  then  is  the  Key,  thy  Will  that  Door  unlocks, 
thy  Future  Faith  must  be  the  KNOWLEDGE  of 

THYSELF. 

Shirk  not  this  task  for  in  it  ye  will  find  the  way  in 
which  to  solve,  that  the  {UNIVERSE  is  I! 


*When  we  can  perceive  that  through  our  conventionalities  and 
self  formed  opinions  we  delay  our  spiritual  progress  through  limitations, 
we  can  then  embrace  the  inclusive  and  forego  the  exclusive,  thus  chang- 
ing our  manner  of  living  and  entering  the  path  that  unto  freedom  leads. 

fThe  planets,  signs  and  constellations  symbolized  to  the  ancients 
the  universal  creative  energies,  their  powers  and  equivalents. 

^Through  the  analyzing  of  our  natures  we  learn  that  we  are  as 
it  were  a  miniature  of  the  universe  and  that  we  are  potentially  its  equal. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAivAx  25 


39 


Earth,  Fire,  Air,  Water,  Ether,  the  elements  that 
compose  the  sum  of  all  that  under  heaven 
blows, 

And  if  ye  then  should  ask,  how  they  their  birth 
received,  or  whence  they  came,  or  of  what 
consist,  or  where  they  go,  and  of  their  final 
destiny? 

THIS  WILL   ALL    AGES    ANSWER1.      HE    ONLY    KNOWS ! 

HE  ONLY  KNOWS! 


40 


The  Heavenly  signs  are  but  the  SYMBOLS  of  that 
BOOK,  whose  chemistry  Birth's  secrets  here 
make  plain. 

Thus  are  written  in  characters  eternal,  where  none 
can  erase  one  word  of  those  recorded  histories 

Of    MEN,  of  THINGS,  of  WORLDS. 

From  off  its  open  pages  bound  in  HEAVEN'S  ETERNAL 

BLUE, 
Here  then  is  the  VEIL,  the  LAMP,  the  VOICE  WITHIN; 

learn  thou  to  be  .LORD  and  MASTER,  PROPHET, 

PRIEST  and  KING. 
Thy  BIRTHRIGHT  here  now  enter,  and  know  ye  the 

LAW  OF  LAWS,  the  WISE  MAN  RULES,    THE  FOOL 
DOTH  TREAD  WHERE  ANGELS  FEAR  TO  GO. 


24  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


41 


Thus  from  the  Law  of  Life  and  Death  we  learn,  and 

why  with  hate  and  strife  this  earthly  urn  doth 

burn. 
Yet  a  Voice  from  out  of  the    DEPHTS  doth  SPEAK 

"MURMER  NOT"!    Make  ye  the  best  of  life, 
Waste    not    thy    OPPORTUNITIES!      For    when    ye 

once  have  onward  passed,  to  CLAY  YE  NEVER 

SHALL  RETURN.!! 


42 


This  is  the  way  of  Happiness  and  how  to  live  free 
from  vain  regrets; 

Whatsoever  thy  mind  findeth  to  think,  think  ye  only 
on  such  things  as  ye  will  never  have  to  here 
unthink. 

Whatsoever  thy  hands  find  to  do,  do  only  such 
things  as  ye  will  never  have  to  here  undo. 

That  which  ye  give,  seek  never  to  reclaim,  nor  profit 
make  of  friendship,  nor  from  the  STRANGER 
within  thy  gates,  excepting  what  the  LAW  pre- 
scribes as  lawful  and  as  just, 

This  is  an  old   but  well  proven  Path,  and  KISSES 

FROM  SUCH  LIPS  AS  THESE  DRY  NEVER,  NEITHER 
PARCH  THEY  THE  MOUTH  OF  THE  GIVER,  OR 
THE  GIVEN. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAT  25 


43 


In  passing  through  this  Life  of  Clay,  I  came  across 
a  Barren  Waste  of  life,  and  questioned  of  a  friend 
its  name,  he  answer  made,  INSANE!  iNSANja! 

And  when  I  asked  if  here  the  Potter's  hand  had  not 
surely  blundered,  seeing  so  many  monstrous 
shapes  in  clay  called  MAN, 

He  but  answered  "Nay,  the  same  hand  made  the 
poison,  that  gave  the  antidote." 

Ah,  Friends  and  Foes,  let  us  here  unite,  and  make 
war  on  this  all  consuming  vice;  don't  blame 
the  Potter  or  his  clay,  we  have  but  here  OUR- 
SELVES to  BLAME. 


44 


Listen  a  moment  whilst  I  quote  from  a  book  that  no 
man  wrote;  it  is  from  Mother  Earth,  so  friends 
give  ear,  attend!  attend! 

"It  is  you  who  knead  and  mould,  not  I,  I'm  but  the 
plastic  side  of  life,  and  THOU  THE  POTTER 
who  doth  spin  this  wheel  of  life  continually." 

Thus,  Oh  Brothers  and  Sisters  learn,  who  will  while 
here  give  birth  to  child, 

Seek  ye  to  mould  it  free  from  fear,  seek  ye  to  mould 
it  strong  and  firm,  let  no  thought  its  mind 
pervert,  mould  it  TRUE  and  FIT  for  BIRTH. 


26  THE  SUFISM  OF  THK 


MOULD  IT  FRIEND,  OH  MOTHER  MOULD,  IN  THAT  LIKE- 
NESS GOD  OF  OLD,  THOUGH  THY  NAME  ON  EARTH 
IS  MAN,  YET  OF  THAT  KINGDOM,  PRINCE!. 

A  CHILD  DIVINE  ART  THOU. 

45 

That  which  we  mould  again  returns  to  earth,  and 
this  is  a  lesson,  friends,  which  the  Bright  Ones 
unto  thee  have  sent! 

"The  Beauteous  Lily  that  neither  toils  nor  spins  will 
to  the  earth  return  again. 

Pure  was  its  perfume  and  its  life,  pure  its  color, 
snowy  white;  from  its  seed  shall  others  come, 
which  will  bloom,  then  fade  and  die." 

May  we  in  such  simple  trust,  hope  again  a  lip  to 

tOUCh,     FAIRER     MOTHER,     FAIRER     CHILD,     GOD 
and  MAN  UNITE  AS  ONE. 

46 

Let  not  this  Cup  of  Life  contain  that  Bitter  Drug, 
Remorse  by  name,  nor  to  Brother  nor  to  Friend 
let  us  cause  a  burning  tear; 

Since  these  tears  again  give  back  SALT  FOR  SALT  AND 

SMART  FOR  SMART. 

Never  let  thy  salt  tears  fall  on  this  clay  to  bring 

forth  more. 
Drink  not  then  from  this  Cup  of  Pain,  for  here  is 

the  secret  of  the  Potter  and  his  wheel  — 


THE  8UFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAr 27 

Life  is  the  clay  with  which  the  Soul  doth  spin,  the 
Potter  is  the  will  by  which  the  wheel  is  turned. 

The  Pot  so  called  the  Mind,  which  doth  the  thoughts 
contain,  Experience  is  Life's  Wheel  which 
ACTION  TURNS!  Do  Good,  it  recompenses  with 
PEACE  and  BLISS,  the  EVILS  here  performed 
with  PAIN  and  DEATH. 

Thus  do  we  learn  of  the  unwinding  of  life's  entangl- 
ed skeins,  of  FEAR,  of  HATE  and  of  all  THINGS 

UNLOVABLE. 

47 

Yet  there's  another  WINE  which  fresh  from  Life's 

vintage  into  the  CUP  OF  IMMORTALITY  is  drawn. 
*It  is  in  color  RUBY  RED,  resurrected  from  the  DEAD. 

Drink  ye!     Drink  ye!  of  this  wine,  the  product^ 

of  the  VINE  OF  VINES. 
They  who  from  this  CUP  do  DRINK  with  ETERNAL 

BLISS  do  meet. 
Born  of  the  perfumes  of  the  flowers,  watered  by 

these  tears  of  ours,  nourished  by  the  stress  of 

life,    OUR    CROWN    OF    THORNS    THE    CROWN    OF 
GLORY  WINS. 

48 

So  when  Death's  Angel  doth  us  call,  instead  of  pains 
its  joys  we  know. 

*The  grapes  must  pass  through  the  press  to  give  up  the  wine;  so 
must  we  through  our  earthly  experience  give  up  the  material  before  we 
can  accept  the  spiritual. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUfiAiyAT 


The  FEATIS  AND  STINGS  OF  DEATH  WERE  MADE  BY 
EARTHLY  PRIESTS  BUT  NOT  THE  POTTER'S  GEN- 
TLE HANDS. 

This  dark  wine  quaff  and  the  cup  to  earth  return , 
for  you  that  stream  have  crossed  and  the  fur- 
ther shore  attained. 

There's  where  thy  soul  its  heavenly  garb  assumes, 
of  which  this  dust  of  earth  is  too  gross  its  frame 
to  build. 

49 

This  life  is  but  the  Pathway  that  unto  FREEDOM 

LEADS,   from  pains  and  greivous  sorrows,   to 

where  the  soul  is  free. 
To  roam  to  worlds  and  spheres  sublime  and  gather 

there  from  off  the  vines  those  ripened  grapes 

for  wine. 
From  limits  then  it's  freed  and  towards  its  sun  it 

soars,  and  there  in  BLISS  SUPREME  THAT  SOUL 

IN  GOD  IS  MERGED. 

50 

Thus  the  body  is  a  tent  wherein  the  soul  a  day  or  so 
must  dwell,  when  Death  again  that  life  relieves, 

And  that  freed  soul  above  must  speed  to  some  new 
realm  of  thought  unknown  to  it. 

Would  that  all  this  simple  truth  did  know,  there 
would  be  then  no  fear  of  that  after  life  to  come. 


^x 

0F  THE  \ 

UNIVERSITY  1 

TTTT*    CTTWTCM   r\Tt  TWT*    UTTwAlvAT  29 


51 


Here  then  we  learn  that  Law  of  Fate,  as  into  this 

world  we're  born  from  different  planes  of  life. 
And  here  we  all  must  tarry  till  this  Earthly  Life 

has  run,  when  turning  down  this  earthen  cup, 

The  fluid  of  the  soul  is  poured  into  a  vase  of 

finer  ware. 
Countless  thousands  have  come  and  gone  through 

these  SILENT  GATES  OF  FATE, 
Which  but  open    once  for  birth,  then    close    till 

death,  as  ripples  follow  ripples  on  a  wind  swept 

lake. 

52 

Thus  do  we  lift  veil  after  veil  before,  thus  do  we 

drop  veil  after  veil  behind, 
Onward,  ever  onward,  do  all  who  are  born  progress, 

none  from  this  wheel  break  free,  none  can  this 

law  control. 
Born  of  endless  rounds,  from  sphere  to  sphere  we 

climb,    through    countless    suns    of    systems, 

through  countless  terms  of  years. 
Systems  of  worlds  we  leave,  whilst  approaching 

unknown  suns,  with  colors  of  nameless  hues, 

for  which  no  tongue  a  name  hath  found. 

ON    THOSE    HEAVENS    THE    SUNSETS    REST,    AND    THE 
TINTS  OF  THE  MORNING  SKIES. 


30  THE  SUFISM  OF  THK 


53 

Ah,  questioning  Friend,  what  is  it  you  would  know, 
from  whence  Existence  came,  and  how  Ex- 
istence stays? 

This  is  the  Cross  you'll  carry,  as  long  as  you  will 
cast  the  RUBY  of  the  PRESENT  in  the  DUST  HEAP 

OF  THE  PAST. 

It  was  not  BORN,  nor  does  it  ever  DIE;  it  from  no 
place  came,  nor  of  anything  was  it;  UNBORN, 

ETERNAL,     EVERLASTING,     DEATHLESS,     IT     WILL 

REMAIN,  though  all  should  PASS  AWAY. 
This  is  the  Secret  that  the  Wise  alone  can  solve, 
how   EXISTENCE  the  thread  doth  cut,  which 
perchance  divides  those  FOUR. 

THE  FINITE  FROM  THE  INFINITE,  AND  THE  FALSE 
FROM  EVERY  TRUE. 

54 

Could  you  right  here  this  problem  solve  of  what  is 
false  and  true,  no  more  would  heaven  yonder 
be,  no  more  would  erring  thought  heaven's 
truths  obscure, 

For  at  last  the  false  is  here  out  grown,  and  the  Finite 
Mind  ceases  to  reflect  the  evils  of  the  past, 
which  are  forever  lost  in  f  orgetf  ulness  ; 

And  only  the  Infinite  Thoughts  (which  are  life's 
pearls)  are  then  reflected  in  that  Mind  Su- 
preme. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAT  31 

So  whilst  in  this  home  of  clay  we  live,  could  we  for 
a  moment  grasp  this  CAUSE  SUPREME  in  its  en- 
tirety, which  moveth  all,  that  life  doth  know, 

tO  GOOD,  TO  BETTER,  THEN  TO  BEST; 

God  will  here  and  there  alike  be  known,  and  of  that 
SUPREME  PEACE  we  will  stand  on  earth  pos- 
sessed. 

So  seek  within  this  TREASURE  HOUSE,  for  the  KEY 
you'll  surely  find,  which  will  unlock  the  Palace 
Gates  and  all  mysteries  ther  contained. 

And  seated  there,  all  pure  and  white,  that  KING  OF 
KINGS  who  reigns  supreme  is  known  of  all 
celestial  hosts,  as  THOU,  OH  SOUL,  DIVINE. 


55 


A  secret  here  I  have  to  tell  which  I'll  write  between 
these  lines,  how  one  may  find  *the  SERPENT 
COILED  within  the  HUMAN  SPINE. 

Deep  in  the  Breath  of  the  Senses  its  secret  presence 
you  will  find,  running  divided,  yet  united,  it  is 

the  BREATH  OF  LIFE  DIVINE. 

It  brings  to  name  and  form  all  thought,  and  though 
these  change  and  pass  from  sight,  it  ever  here 
remains  to  bring  that  WISDOM  OF  THE  GODS 

TO  MEN. 


*This  means  the  seat  of  all  functional  activity. 


32  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


56 

Look  to  thy  body  there  to  find  the  Mystic  Numbers 
it  contains,  the  Coccyx  Four  on  which  the  Sac- 
rum Five  do  rest,  where  spirit  matter  joins, 
and  the  TREE  OF  LIFE  AGAIN  PUTS  FORTH. 

Upon  this  NINE,  though  to  FIVE  this  NINE  returns, 
rest  the  DORSAL  TWELVE,  the  Sacred  Temples 
of  those  Mysteries  from  which  the  tribes  of 
is  and  RA  were  named, 

In  the  Cervical  Seven  dwell  supreme  THOSE  POWERS 
OF  GOD  ENTHRONED  IN  MAN;  these  do  contain 
the  THREE  IN  ONE  of  which  the  ages  have  all 
sung,  about  that  TRINITY  SUBLIME  which  moves 
the  worlds  to  GOOD. 

Now  THREE  in  ONE,  and  FOUR  PLUS  FIVE,  and  TWELVE 
plus  SEVEN,  and  you  have  found  those  MARKS 

THIRTY  AND  TWO  OF  PERFECT  BIRTH. 
57 

There  is  a  LINE  that  all  may  find,  stretched  from  the 
utmost  heavens  (or  maybe  far  beyond)  which 
towards  the  earth  comes  unerringly, 

Which  has  by  all  Sages  here  been  called  "THE  PLUMB 
LINE  OF  THE  UNIVERSE,"  adored  and  reverenced 
by  all  the  Wise. 

And  where  this  Line  the  Earth  doth  GREET  the 
LEVEL*FORMS  on  which  all  MEET, 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUfiAlYAT  33 

There  the  SETTING  SUN  YOU  WILL  THEN  FACE,  AND 

LIFERS   FATAL  SQUARE  will   Upon  THEE   FALL   NO 
MORE. 

Being  thus  FREE  and  ACCEPTED  of  the  GODS,  RAISED 
by  the  MASTER'S  HANDS,  EXALTED  from  the 
DEAD,  to  GREET  again,  and  yet  again,  THY 

BRETHREN. 

Brothers,  tell  them  who  have  the  rule  forgot,  how 
time  is  measured  dot  by  dot;  how  the  MASTER 
from  the  EAST  must  RISE  and  in  splendor  sit 
upon  the  noonday  skies. 

How  at  HIGH  TWELVE  upon  that  ARCH  DIVINE  HE 
SITS,  and  the  QUARTERS  of  the  world  doth  there 
survey  each  noon. 

And  upon  that  *TRESTLE-BOARD,  which  is  watched 
and  guarded  by  the  FOUR  REGENTS,  HE  the 
orders  writes,  for  the  MASTERS  to  transcribe. 

Then  that  MYSTIC  LINE  HE  crosses  and  hastens  to 
HIS  FALL,  and  thus  are  the  days  all  reached,  in 
which  HE  and  all  HIS  FELLOW-CRAFT  REPOSE 

MUST  SEEK. 

None  can  here  deny  that  this  forms  not  a  perfect 
day,  for  it  has  been  TRIED  and  PROVED  by  that 

UNERRING  LINE. 


*These  Jewels  of  Masonic  Lore  must  appeal  to  all  true  readers 
of  the  TRESTLE-BOARD.  May  they  hear  the  fraternal  voice  of  the  past, 
which  is  now  speaking  through  the  lips  of  the  present,  and  seek  that 
reward  which  alone  can  come  when  the  earthly  lodge  is  closed  and  the 
heavenly  is  declared  open  for  the  work  to  all  who  have  been  found 
worthy  and  qualified. 


34  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


NO  YESTERDAY,  NO  TOMORROW,  ALL  IS  ENDLESS  DAY 
ENWRAPPED  IN  ENDLESS  NIGHT,  IN  WHICH  ALL 
SLEEP,  IN  WHICH  ALL  WAKE,  BOTH  HERE  AND 
THERE. 


58 


Thus  in  the  hands  of  mortals  are  placed  the  BUILD- 
ER'S TOOLS,  the  PLUMB,  the  GUIDING  LINE 
'twixt  HEAVEN  and  the  TOMB. 

The  SQUARE  most  blessed  of  all  KNOWN  TOOLS  for 
it  reveals  THAT  GLORIOUS  CROSS  from  which 
the  WISE  their  LORE  OF  LIFE  HAVE  GAINED. 

And  though  it's  hidden  FOURFOLD  DEEP  its  ROOT 
can  be  obtained,  which  will  the  CUBE-STONE 
form  again,  OH,  MYSTERY  SUBLIME. 

Born  thus  of  Earth,  by  Air,  by  Fire  and  Water 
Tried,  NAILED  to  the  CROSS  the  PROOF  OF  LIFE 
TO  FIND. 

Ushered  in  the  EAST  the  way  of  birth  for  all,  in  the 
SOUTH  is  MANHOOD  reached,  in  the  WEST  where 
all  must  FALL,  it  is  the  PLACE  OF  PEACE  which 
all  must  haste  to  reach; 

It  is  there  that  you  MARK  WELL  and  the  FATAL 

SQUARE  REVERSE,  the  NORTH  of  DEATH  doth 

know  from  whence  ye  have  come  forth, 
To  take  within  thy  hand  THE  BUILDER'S  MYSTIC 
TROWEL. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAr  35 

59 

And  having  built  my  EARTHLY  HOME,  one  day  in 
its  porch  I  sat,  and  coming  through  its  shades 
and  glooms  was  a  FACE  THAT  FIXED  ITSELF 
upon  my  memory. 

It  was  my  SOUL  INVISIBLE  that  brought  a  MESSAGE 
DIVINE,  which  from  EARTHLY  FETTERS  SAVED 
ME  and  in  FREEDOM  bade  me  RISE; 

To  those  EFFULGENT  SKIES  OF  SKIES,  the  FOUNTAIN 
HEADS  FROM  WHENCE  DO  FLOW  THE  WATERS 
OF  ETERNITY. 

And  from  a  CHALICE  wrought  of  GOLD  the  WINE  of 
IMMORTALITY  WAS  POURED  and  having  drunk 
that  Wine  of  Wines,  I  returned  the  *Cup  which 
from  Gold  was  made. 

60 

Thus  having  quenched  my  thirst  of  years  wherefore 
I  asked  of  Him,  are  there  so  many  here,  who 
spend  their  lives  in  tears, 

And  waste  their  days  in  arguments  over  what  is 

RIGHT  Or  WRONG? 

He  in  these  powerful  words  His  answer  gave ! 

"ALL  MEN  AND  WOMEN  WERE  EQUAL  MADE!  AND 
OF  TEARS  AND  SORROWS  GAVE  HE  NONE  TO  MAN; 
NONE  CAN  SUFFER  EXCEPT  THOSE  WHO  SUFFER- 
ING CHOOSE/' 


*The  Cup  wrought  out  of  gold  here  refers  to  our  collective  ex- 
periences. 


36  THE  SUPISM  OF  THE 


Which  sufferings  being  but  DELIVERANT  PAINS  OF 

BIRTH,  GIVE  TO  THE  SOUL  ITS  FREEDOM. 

To  my  second  question  He  answered  thus! 

WHO   DARES    OF   RIGHT   OR   WRONG   TO     JUDGE,    since 

the  motive  of  a  crime  in  ages  past  has  disap- 

peared, and  crimes  that  were  unknown  to  them 

are  living  here  with  you? 
But  to  those  who  seek  TRUE  JUDGMENT   this  is  the 

way  it's  found! 
There  is  a  Judge  who  never  errs  who  sits  in  the  hum- 

an heart,  whose  judgments  are  not  heard  with- 

out, but  in  life's  deeds  are  PROVEN. 
No  human  tongue  can  yet  define,  nor  will  it  here 

be  given,  that  power  on  earth  to  understand 

the    INFINITE    LAW    OF    HEAVEN. 

61 

To  meet  my  needs  through  life  HE  gave  these  beaute- 
ous words  of  praise! 

THOU  MIGHTY  PEACE,  TRUTH  BREATHING  LORD,  OF 
ALL  THE  HORDES  OF  DARKNESS  AND  OF  LIGHT 
ADORED. 

THOU  subduer  of  fears  and  sorrows  which  this  earthly 
life  infest,  and  LEADER  FORTH  TO  THAT  FUTURE 

REST  BEYOND  THE  GRAVE,  WHERE  DWELL  THE 
SAGES  OF  ALL  THE  PAST. 

In  that  NAME  thy  refuge  seek,  take  thou  thy  refuge 
in  its  LAW  OF  PEACE,  take  thou  its  hand  of 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUfiAiyAT  37 

FUTURE  HOPE,  and  rest  thou  in  its  LAW  which 
worketh  unto  GOOD,  to  BETTER  and  to  BEST. 
Thus  was  I  taught  of  the  LOVE  DIVINE. 

62 

*This  life  is  the  vine  on  which  the  grape  doth  grow, 
and  fresh  from  its  PRESS  THE  WINE  OF  LIFE 
DOTH  FLOW. 

And  there  on  the  WASTE  HEAP  of  sorrow  lies  the 
PULP  OF  WANTONNESS,  from  which  the  fool  a 
strong  and  hurtful  beverage  brews,  that  works 

DESTRUCTION  UNTO  ALL  WHO  OF   IT  DRINK! 

THEY  WHO  ARE  CLEAN  NEED  NO  STIMULANTS,  EX- 
CEPT THAT  ONE  CONTAINED  WITHIN  THE  VINT- 
AGE OF  LIFE'S  EXPERIENCE. 

All  other  wines  are  rods  of  pain  in  which  REMORSE 
is  FOUND  in  many  garments  dressed.  BE- 
WARE! BEWARE!! 

Many  men  do  question  thus,  Why  was  it  put  here 
if  a  curse?  The  swine  the  question  here  might 
put,  Why  must  he  eat  what's  on  him  thrust? 

Present  no  more  such  reasoning  pray  for  the  answer 
is  here  given. 

NONE  BUT  THE  FOOL  THE  WINE  OF  EARTH  DOTH 
QUAFF,  NONE  BUT  THE  WISE  THE  WINE  OF  LIFE 
DO  DRAW. 


*A11  that  this  life  is,  is  the  sum  total  of  what  the  preceding  one 
was. 


38  THE  SUPISM  OF  THE 


63 

Here  I  am  compelled  to  write  about  another  form 

of  vice;  some  endure  it  in  its  LEGAL  FORM  whilst 

others  are  slaves  to  a  NAMELESS  FORM; 
Never  Brother,  never    Friend,  wreck    thy  life  on 

the  shoals  of  shame,  nor  cast  thy  virtue  in  the 

dust. 
NO  TWO  WRONGS  WILL  ONE  RIGHT  MAKE,  NO  HANDS 

IN  PRAYER  CAN  A  FOUL  DEED  CHANGE,  OR  A 

VIRTUE  MAKE! 
Ah,  this  is  the  BITTER   CUP  OF  LIFE  and   whosoever 

from  it  drinks,  into  the  dust  descends.     BE- 

WARE!    BEWARE!! 

64 

The  means  that  do  the  ends  of  life  defeat,  are: 
DRINK!  FORNICATION  and  other  UNLAWFUL  ACTS 
committed  by  the  FLESH,  GAMBLING  and  UN- 
TRUTH. 

No  threats  of  HELL,  no  hope  of  HEAVEN,  can  lift 
the  cloud  that  doth  enshroud  a  DEFILED 

EARTHLY  TEMPLE. 

SUCH  FLOWERS  AS  THESE  FOREVER  DIE,  USELESSNESS 
HAS  NO  PLACE  IN  CREATION'S  FERTILE  FIELDS. 

65 

Oft  has  the  WAY  on  earth  been  blazed,  that  all  the 
PATH  might  see  and  rightly  follow. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAT  39 

Sages  the  *PATERAN  have  placed  at  every  cross- 
road. 

And  though  so  many  have  pushed  those  DARKENED 
DOORS  aside,  NONE  HAVE  RETURNED  OF  THAT 

WAY  HERE  TO  TELL! 

WHICH  TO  DISCOVER,  ALL  FOR  THEMSELVES  MUST 
TREAD. 

66 

Yet  some  may  question  the  Wisdom  of  the  Law, 

that  FREE  SALVATION  grants  TO  ALL  ON  EARTH 
WHO  FALL. 

Yet  falling  they  must  rise  again,  OH  SLAYER  OF  OUR 

FOES,  RENUNCIATION  IS  THY  NAME! 

With  THEE  we  fight  the  hordes  of  PAIN,  and  PASSION 
SLAY,  and  thus  destroy  the  CAUSE  OF  ALL  OUR 
ILLS. 

EACH  HIS  OWN  SALVATION  WINS!  EACH  ALL 
EARTHLY  SIN  MUST  HERE  RENOUNCE!  THUS 

HAVE  THE  WISE  ALL  TAUGHT. 
67 

Let  us  call  HIM  THE  ALL  MERCIFUL  for  HE  the  PATH 

doth  LIGHT,  so  man  from  MORTAL  DARKNESS 

may  be  led  into  the  LIGHT.  . 
Hear  ye  then  this  simple,  yet  most  ancient  of  the 

truths,  how  man  can  gain  the  knowledge  of 

life  beyond  the  tomb. 

*Pateran  means  a  leaf  which  travelers  used  to  place  at  the  cross 
roads  to  show  the  way  to  their  followers. 


40  THE  SUFISM  OP  THE  RUBAlYAT 

"CONTROL  THYSELF,  and  with  thy  senses  send  thy 
soul  unto  its  elements,  there  to  wring  out  the 

SECRET  of  itS  BIRTH  and  END." 

And  the  gentle  voice  of  the  SILENCE  whispers  soft 
and  low,  and  bids  me  reader,  write  you  the  ans- 
wer here  below! 

I  MYSELF  AM  HEAVEN,  I  MYSELF  AM  HELL,  I  AM  THE 
CAUSE  CREATIVE,  I  AM  THE  WAY,  THE  END. 

68 

This  then  is  a  vision  of  heaven  that  FULFILLER  OF 
ALL  DESIRES,  and  this  is  the  shade  of  GEHENNA 
the  sorrows  that  life  acquires. 

Cast  thyself  boldly  on  this  ocean,  FEAR  NOT  THOUGH 
THE  CURRENT  is  STRONG,  thy  body's  the  BOAT, 
thy  WILL  the  HELM,  thy  LIFE  the  SAILS  doth  fill. 

And  serenely  sitting,  all  composed,  thy  Soul  doth 
grasp  the  helm  and  steers  thy  Barque  through 
storms  and  stress,  in  safety  past  the  SHOALS 
of  DEATH. 

With  its  cargo  that's  consigned  to  HIM  WHO  RULES 
THE  WINDS,  THE  TIDES.  OH  MASTER  PILOT, 
HAIL  TO  THEE!  THOU  GIVER  OF  ETERNITY. 

69 

Coming  events  their  shadows  cast,  on  this  all  have 
agreed; 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAx  41 

In  an  endless  procession  that  Mirror  reflects  the 

acts,  the  thoughts,  the  deeds, 
Oh,  happy  the  man  who  has  led  a  good  life,  who 

fears  not  in  that  Mirror  to  gaze, 
For  he  sees  that  VIRTUE  REWARD  HATH  WON,  AND 

THAT  THE  WAGE  OF  SIN  IS  DEATH. 
70 

Some  in  this  life  would  have  you  believe  that  this 
FATE  you  cannot  evade,  for  all  EMBODY  here 
again,  and  thus  by  the  LAW  OF  BIRTH  outrun 

the  ACTIONS  Of  PAST  LIVES? 

Friends,  you're  reasoning  in  quicksands  which  in 
the  end  engulf;  last  night  no  more  returns  to 
earth  though  followed  by  countless  suns; 

Neither  the  soul  once  freed  from  clay  to  a  body  of 
clay  returns,  nor  doth  the  Spirit  inhabit  again 
this  cast  off  garment  of  earth. 

THIS  is  THE  LAW;  OH  MORTALS  LEARN,  ALL  YE  WHO 

LOVE  THE  TRUE. 


71 


This  is  the  LAW  of  LIFE  written  bold  that  all  may 
read  aright  and  learn  THE  WAY  OF  MASTERSHIP! 

THOUGHTS  ARE  THE  SHUTTLE  OF  LIFE'S  WORKS, 
EXPERIENCE  THE  WARP,  AND  LIFE  THE  WOOF, 

THE    CLOTH     THE    DEEDS     WHEN      SPUN,     which    CUt 


42  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


according  to  RIGHT  MEASUREMENT  fit  well,  and 
the  garment  of  every  soul  becomes. 
REASON  MEASURES  ALL!  AND  WISDOM  GUIDES, 
and  thus  are  the  garments  of  life  both  small 
and  great  by  a  strict  measurement  made, 
wherein  the  law  declares. 

THOU  THYSELF  THE  LAW  OF  LIFE  DOTH  RULE;  LIFE! 

THOU    ART    RULED    BY   ALL    THE    WISE; 
HE  WHO  THUS  DOTH  KNOW,   KNOWS  ALL  IN  LIFE  TO 

BE,     AS     THE     FUTURE     LIFERS     DETERMINED     BY 

THE  PRESENT  ONE  WE  LEAD. 


72 


*There  is  a  GARDEN  of  which  the  Wise  have  told, 
with  a  RIVER  that  flows  throughout,  which 
when  divided  has  FOUR  HEADS,  Oh,  Students 
find  this  out. 

There  is  a  "WORD"  the  Wise  declare  though  "LOST" 
its  yours  to  find,  that  would  unite  these  FOUR 
again;  of  this  there  is  no  doubt. 

It  is  FOUR-FOLD  when  opened  out  and  the  CROSS  it 
brings  to  view;  your  life's  engraved  upon  its 
"SQUARE"  of  which  no  erasion  can  be  made 
nor  "THY  MARK"  carved  there  be  effaced. 


*This  paragraph  refers  to  the  center  of  creative  energy  or  the 
Garden  of  Iram.  The  Four  Rivers  symbolize  the  seasons,  body,  mind, 
soul,  spirit,  earth,  fire,  air,  water,  in  their  process  of  ivolution  and  evo- 
lution and  its  symbolic  character  is  the  Swastika  Cross. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAr  43 

73 

This  inverted  bowl  we  call  the  sky,  is  that  Garden 
we've  been  told;  the  FOUR  HEADS  there  have 
thus  been  named  the  LION,  the  MAN,  the  BULL, 
the  BIRD. 

*  Within  these  names  four  more  are  found;  SPIRIT, 
SOUL,  MIND,  and  BODY  and  yet  again  four  more 
you  have  BIRTH,  YOUTH,  MANHOOD  and  AGE. 

When  added  TWELVE  all  told  they  make,  and  the 
names  of  the  TRIBES  reveal,  from  which  all 
things  their  being  take,  and  yet  there  are  four 
to  spare; 

REPTILES,  BEASTS  and  BIRDS  of  song,  with  FISH  of 
various  kinds,  when  added  go  to  make  the  MAN, 

OF  SIXTEEN  PARTS  ALL  TOLD. 

74 

Who  then  doth  hold  this  SECRET  of  the  WAY,  which 

from  this  CARNAL  HOUSE  of  clay  to  FREEDOM 

makes? 
Or  are  we  like  the  ever  changing  sea,  IMPOTENT  to 

change  its  currents  or  the  wind? 
It  is  only  a  sluggard  who  doth  question  the  reason 

of  his  birth;  the  Brave  like  soaring  eagles  rise 

high  above  the  earth, 


*This  paragraph  gives  the  symbolic  names  of  the  divine  qualities 
that  are  found  in  man. 


44  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


They  but  know  the  PATH  of  DUTY,  its  GOLDEN  WAY 
they  tread,  where  trod  the  ANCIENT  FATHERS 
who  dissolved  this  life  of  earth. 

Thus  look  not  on  HIGH  the  GOOD  TO  FIND,  nor  search 
for  it  BELOW;  GOOD  is  THE  WHOLE,  AND  DEATH 

BUT  LIFTS  THE  SCENES  AS  THEY  UNFOLD. 
75 

This  world  no  more   endures   than  THOU  or  i,  only 

the  MAKER  for  'twas  HE  who  loosed  its  soul  and 

thine  to  learn, 
From  whence  came  all,  to  where  all  go,  the  destiny, 

the  end. 
And  should'st  thou  not  learn   from  whence  all  pain 

doth  spring,  as  ripple    follow   ripple    so    doth 

pain  forever  follow  pain. 

Till  FREED  FROM  SENSUOUS  YEARNINGS,  THY  HEART 
TO  GOD  RETURNS,  THIS  IS  THE  FINAL  CONQUEST, 
THIS  IS  THE  FINAL  END. 

76 

And  thus  was  man  made  and  placed  in  this 
GARDEN  OF  IRAM  fair,  with  his  soul  to  comfort 
and  give  cheer,  till  DEATH  makes  free  again. 

He  in  this  INVERTED  BOWL  is  poured,  and  there 
must  remain  'tis  said,  till  dust  to  dust  returns 
again  and  that  FREED  SOUL  has  winged  its  way 
to  where  the  DEATHLESS  DWELL. 


THE  SUPISM  OF  THE  RUBAiyAT  45 

77 

He  out  of  his  earthly  origin  wrought  his  desire  for 

upward  striving,  for  the  Wise  the  RIGHT  do 

prefer  to  the  SWEET, 
Whilst  the  Foolish  the  SWEET  do  prefer  to  the  RIGHT 

and  thus  they're  bound  on  this  WHEEL  of  PAIN 

till  they  the  KNOT  untie  again, 
Which  is  the  END  AND  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THINGS. 

78 

Now  in  this  GARDEN  a  SERPENT  was  placed  and  a 
man  from  the  hand  of  a  woman  did  taste, 

Not  the  WOMAN  of  this  CLAY  nor  any  FRUIT  of  earthly 
NAME,  but  EXPERIENCE  wrung  from  life  and 
handed  down  from  birth  to  birth. 

<jOD  HAS  JOINED  THESE  TWO  IN  ONE,  WEDDED  HERE 
FOR  LIFE  TO  COME,  EVER  FAITHFUL!  EVER 
GOOD!  THEY  MAY  HERE  BE  UNDERSTOOD. 

79 

*He  ate  of  the  GOOD  and  the  EVIL  OF  FRUITS  from 
the  hand  of  the  woman  who  dwelt  by  his  side, 

And  after  he'd  tasted  he  stood  face  to  face  with 
the  laws  he  had  taken  in  vain. 


*One  must  always  taste  of  his  thoughts,  deeds  or  actions  and 
whether  they  are  sweet  or  sour  that  alone  depends  upon  our  actions; 
and  likewise  our  past  lives  must  forever  stand  beside  us,  like  a  loving 
wife  sharing  our  joys  or  sorrows  and  comforting  in  the  time  of  need. 


46  THE  SUPISM  OF  THE 


The  bitter  thus  changed  the  sweet  did  become,  hate 
changed  to  love  and  sorrow  to  joy,  strife  had 
ceased  and  peace  had  come. 

When  he  had  thus  conquered  lust,  he  had  also  con- 
quered thirst;  that  man  from  pain  doth  free 
become,  WHO  THE  BATTLE  WINS,  THAT  CON- 
QUERS SELF. 

80 

And  if  but  for  the  asking  all  wisdom  could  be  thine, 

what  value  would'st  thou  place  upon  things 

thus  obtained? 
Work  makes  the  value,  values  cares  do  bring,  cares 

bring  forth  sorrow,  Death's  complaisant  friend. 
Few  from  this  womb  are  born  that  to  maturity 

arrive;  it  is  here  that  all  values  end  and  it  is 

here  that  they  all  begin. 

81 

And  under  cover  of  departing  day,  slunk  hunger 
stricken  Doubt  away,  and  with  its  departure 
came  back  once  more  the  light  of  reason  and 
passed  within  my  door. 

Again  strange  shapes  I  did  behold  in  clay,  and  one 
came  forth  and  licked  my  hand;  it  was  a  DOG! 

And  of  the  Potter  I  did  ask,  why  sunk  so  low  at 
birth  was  such  a  faithful  soul? 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUfiAlYAT  47 

The  Potter  merely  turned  his  wheel  and  there  upon 
the  further  side  of  a  beauteous  vase  I  beheld 
a  wondrous  design,  executed  with  great  skill. 

It  was  a  Temple  to  the  Great  and  holding  one  of 
its  main  supports  was  a  DOG!  And  at  its  base 
was  carved  these  words  in  bold  relief: 

" PILLAR  OF  FAITHFULNESS  TO  MAN  I  GAVE;  DOG  WAS 

THY    NAME    ON    EARTH,    BUT    FAITHFULNESS    IN 
HEAVEN. " 

82 

Some  of  the  shapes  were  large,  some  small,  and  some 
were  rough  and  some  were  smooth,  and  as  the 
Potter  turned  the  last,  I  saw  it  was  a  MAN. 

Out  of  the  earth  had  he  been  wrought,  by  experi- 
ence he  was  taught;  out  of  the  VOICELESS  came 
he  here,  into  the  VOICELESS  will  he  once  more 


OH,  THOU  WONDROUS  VESSEL,  THOU!  LEARN  TO 
KNOW  THAT  GOD  IS  MAN. 

83 

Shaped  as  a  man  again  a  vase  I  saw;  it  looked  so 
smooth,  so  bright  and  tinted  with  colors  rare, 

All  looked  harmonious  without,  a  beauteous  vessel 
one  would  say,  but  to  the  Potter's  knowing 
eye  it  was  a  FRAUD  ! ! 


48  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


And  taking  a  mallet  in  his  hand  he  beat  it  back  to 

dust  again. 
And  when  I  questioned  why  he  had  thus  done,  he 

paused  and  answered  "It's  not  true." 
This  was  the  life  of  one  on  earth  who  never  had  his 

second  birth;  all  things  wished  for  had  he  there 

BOUND  TO  GREED!     A  SLAVE  TO  FEAR!! 
Then  the  Potter  a  vase  of  modest    form  did  show, 

but  oh,  how  exquisite  was  it  in    comparison 

with  the  former  ware. 
The  Potter  answered  "THE  SAME  SOUL  DWELLS  HERE 

NOW  IN  PEACE  SUPREME." 

THUS  PASSED  TO  GREATER  THINGS  THAT  SOUL  OF 
YORE. 


84 


Then  a  beautiful  vase  of  a  maid  I  saw  and  by  it 
standing  in  the  gloom  and  shade  was  another 
of  a  man! 

Both  were  covered  deep  in  dust;  it  was  a  LESSON 

THUNDERED  BACK  TO  EARTH,  how  both  of  them 

from  LUST  HAD  DIED  and  destroyed  the  purpose 
of  their  lives. 

And  on  a  column  reaching  high  these  words  burst 
forth  in  fiercest  flame: 

"THE  CURSE  OF  LIFE  is  LUST  OF  SEX  AND  THE  COM- 
MITTING OF  ACTS  UNLAWFUL  AND  UNFIT. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUsAiyAT  49 

85 

And  in  the  corner  of  the  Potter's  shed  stood  a 
mighty  vase,  in  shape  a  BULL,  and  this  was  writ- 
ten o'er  his  head: 

PILLAR  OF  ENDURANCE  cast  in  clay,  thy  name  on 
earth  is  BULL;  as  a  SIGN  in  the  heaven  I  placed 
thee  there  that  all  on  earth  might  read 

That  when  thou  bathed  in  the  Sun's  bright  rays  the 
Spring  Time  would  begin, 

So  let  men  their  trials  with  endurance  meet  and  be- 
gin their  Spring  Time  here, 

And  let  the  Fruits  of  Life  mature  and  be  RIPENED 

FULL  BY  FALL. 

86 

And  some  were  crusted  with  old  age,  and  some  were 
bright  as  from  the  Potter's  hand  they  came, 

But  neither  YOUTH  nor  AGE  could  tell  who  was  the 
POT,  the  POTTER  or  the  MOULD, 

They  only  knew  that  ONE  GREAT  CAUSE  CREATED 
ALL  And  then  again  dissolved. 

HE   MADE   THEM   ALL!      To   HIM  AGAIN   THEY   WENT! 

THIS  WAS  HIS  SECRET;  search  it  out  they  said, 
Then  of  the  difference  ye  will  know  between  the 
POTTER,  POT  and  THEE. 

87 
More  strange,  more  fair,  more  beautiful  designs  I 


50  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


saw  of  leaves,  of  blooms,  of  ferns,  of  flowers,  the 

choicest  of  the  choice. 
And  such  wild  flowers,  the  like  I  had  never  seen  be- 

fore, which  from  the  tropics  and  temperate 

zones  of  earth  had  come. 
And  others  of  color  wondrous  fair  from  the  depths 

of  the  ocean  were  also  there, 
To  compare  with  the  flowers  of  earth  the  richness 

of  their  marine  birth 
All  had  been  spun  on  the  self  same  WHEEL,  all  to 

the  earth  their  lives  will  yield, 
Except  their  beauty  and  perfume,  which  with  their 

SOULS  TO   HIM  HAVE   GONE. 


88 


All  is  thus  spun  by  the  POTTER  on  his  WHEEL,  in 
his  shop  the  UNIVERSE,  wherein  he  GRINDS, 
then  KNEADS,  then  FIRES  the  LIVES  of  ALL,  into 
shapes  and  things  most  lovable. 

NAUGHT  DOTH  HE  WASTE  IN  ALL  HIS  WORKS,  FOR 
WHAT  HE  MAKETH  UNTO  TODAY  HE  MAKETH 
UNTO  ETERNITY. 

89 

Thus  do  all  things  speak  of  HIM  in  praise,  LORD  OF 

HEAVEN,  CREATOR  and  the  GRAVE, 


THE  SUPISM  OF  THE  RUB^IYAT  51 

*OF  WHOM  PRIESTS  AND  WARRIORS  BUT  HIS  DIET 
FORM  WITH  DEATH  FOR  SEASONING. 

Thus  the  earth  her  welcome  sings  to  the  WATER 

CARRIER    SPRING,    who    with    his    RAIN    SKIN    OH 

his  back   calls   to   the   WINTER,   BACK!   BACK! 
BACK! 

Then  he  gently  pulls  the  strings,  COMFORTER  DIVINE 
is  HE,  sending  down  those  warming  rains  on 
the  barren  thirsty  plains. 

THIS  THEN  IS  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT  WHICH  FROM  HEAVEN 
UNTO  MAN  IS  GIVEN. 

90 

The  VINE  NEW  LEAVES  DOTH  NOW  PUT  FORTH  and 

the  GRAPES  though  sour  at  first  SWEETEN  WITH 

THE  SUN. 

So  may  we  bring  this  life  of  ours  to  close,  for  the 
GRAPES  OF  YOUTH  will  ripen  with  the  FROSTS 

Of  YEARS. 

Then  shrouded  in  the  LEAVES  WHICH  FROM  THE  TREE 

OF  LIFE  HAVE  BROKEN  FORTH  IN  THIS  VINEYARD 
OF  OUR  LIVES  WE  ARE  LAID  AWAY  TO  REST. 

There  facing  the  RISING  SUN,  THAT  RESPLENDENT 

MESSENGER  OF  HIM  WHO  IS  FOREVER  NAMELESS, 

WE'LL  BRING  TO  AGE  AGAIN  A  BETTER  GRAPE  FOR 

WINE. 


*This  means  that  He  is  both  the  Container  and  the  Contained , 
that  before  Him  there  can  be  no  Priest  or  Warrior,  for  He  is  the  Divine 
of  all  forms  of  Rituals  and  Authority. 


52  THE  SUFIS  M  OF  THE 


91 

Here  is  where  our  dust  is  mingled  with  the  earth 

that  goes  to  nourish  all  unborn  vines; 
Think  then  of  thy  DEEDS,  thine  ACTS  and  THOUGHTS 

in  LIFE,  for  they  the  nutrition  form,  with  which 

the  future  vines  are  fed. 
Would  that  all  dust  could  return    to  earth  as  pure 

as  when  it  first  gave  man  this  GARMENT  FOR 

HIS  SOUL. 

92 

HE  who  fashioned  all  so  fair,  HE  who  gave  that 

GREAT   COMMAND,    HE   whose   LOVE   IS   INFINITE, 
HE  Whose  BREATH  IS  PEACE  DIVINE, 

Wilt   thou   Doubter   here   declare   WHO  PERISHES, 

WHEN  and  WHERE? 
Each  for  himself  this  NOBLE  PATH  doth  tread,  each 

for  himself  the  CROWN  of  LIFE  must  WIN. 
Unto  thee,  oh,  DOUBTER  hear!     What  HE  CREATED 

IN  HIS  LOVE  SHALL  NOT  BY  WRATH  BE  HERE  OR 

THERE  DESTROYED! 

93 

Let  all  men  dwell  in  PEACE  and  FREEDOM  and  bring 
forth  those  beauteous  flowers  that  they  have 
learned  to  cultivate. 

Then  thine  will  be  a  kingdom  of  blooms  most  rare, 


THE  SUPISM  OP  THE  RUBAiyAx 53 

wherein  the  WEEDS  OF  REMORSE  AND  SHAME 

CAN  NO  HIDING  FIND. 

All  will  work  towards  that  END  DIVINE,  to  ILLUMI- 
NATE NOT  DESTROY  THE  SPIRITUAL  GARDENS 
OF  THE  MIND. 

Then  will  the  VINES  of  LOVE,  TRUTH,  PEACE  and 
CHARITY  flourish,  and  all  will  be  in  HARMONY 

WITH  GOD;  THIS  IS  OF  THINGS  THE  END! 


94 


In  a  Garden  where  such  Vines  do  climb  there  can 
be  found  no  INFIDEL!! 

AH,    INFIDEL,    THOU    ART    THE    FRUIT    OF    PRIESTLY 
ARROGANCE. 

May  peace  be  granted  unto  them  who  sought  thy 

mind  to  here  enslave. 
BEFORE  HIM  THERE  is  NO  PRIEST,  INFIDEL,  PAGAN, 

NOR  HEATHEN;  ALL  ARE  CALLED   FRIENDS. 
NO  MORE  MAY  THESE  HARD  NAMES  BE  SPOKEN;  THEY 

ARE  UNLAWFUL  AND  UNFIT  AND  THEY  THE  LOVE 
OF  GOD  DENY  WHO  UTTER  THEM. 


95 


When  these  names  no  more  are  heard,  the  ROSE  OF 
LOVE  puts  forth,  and  perpetual  youth  doth  greet 
the  sons  of  every  clime. 


54  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


Upon  the  branches  of  the  trees  perch  the  *Eagle 
and  the  Dove,  and  the  fTiger  with  the  Lamb 
at  the  River  side  make  play. 

This  is  a  view  of  heaven  that  unto  man  descends; 

THE    NIGHT   INDEED    HAS   PASSED,    THE    DAY    HAS 
DAWNED. 


Every  desert  will  then  have  its  spring,  and  every 
man  and  woman  will  have  found  that  FREEDOM 

IS  THE  GOAL  FOR  LIFE  TO  WIN. 

Making  the  best  of  what  doth  here  befall,  and  to 
live  in  that  PEACE  which  COMFORT  BRINGS  TO 
ALL. 

97 

Ah,  thou  Angel,  of  Repose!  Fan  thou  the  brow 
of  those  who  suffer  PAIN  and  in  their  EAR  THAT 

MAGIC  WORD  IMPART, 

That  turns  the  fear  of  DEATH  INTO  LIVING  THOUGHTS 

OF  LOVE. 
Bid  all  AWAKE  and  RISE  and  for  evermore  lay  their 

ACHES  and  PAINS  ASIDE, 


*The  Eagle  and  the  Dove  here  describes  the  forces  of  sympathy 
and  antipathy  which  form  a  duality  within  our  natures,  which  when 
conquered  by  love  cease  to  be  active,  hence  we  become  at  peace  with  all. 

fThe  Tiger  and  the  Lamb  typify  the  physical  and  spiritual  of 
our  natures  which  so  long  as  they  are  not  absolutely  controlled  are  at 
variance  with  ourselves,  till  love  vanquishes  greed,  selfishness  and  avar- 
ice; then  we  learn  that  matter  and  spirit  harmonize  when  properly  ad- 
justed. 


THE  SUFISM  OF  THE  RUSAiyAT  55 

To  this  end  were  they  born,  NOT  SLAVES,  FEARING 

TO   LIVE,    NOR   LIVING,    FEAR  TO    DIE. 

68 
And  now  my  pen  in  honor  here  doth  write,  in  praise 

Of  THEE  thou  SOUL  DIVINE  OF  LOVE. 

THOU  ART  THE  CONQUERER  OF  THIS  SORROW  PILE  OF 
LIFE,  THOU  ART  THE  SONG,  THE  SINGER  AND  THE 
DANCE. 

Thou  art  the  shade  of  all  repose  and   peace;  better 

thy  smile  than  a  TRIUMPHANT  WREATH. 
Better  thy  FRIENDSHIP  THAN  A  MONARCH'S  WEALTH, 

STRONGER  THY  HAND  THAN  ALL  ARMED  FORCE. 

Fountain  Divine,  thou  LIFE  OF  ALL  that's  born. 

THOU  RUBY  OF  THE  WINE,  thoU  PERFUME  OF  THE 
MORN. 

FRIEND  AND  LIGHT  OF  THE  WINTRY  PATH,  THE  DEW 
DROP'S  SPARKLE,  and  the  FLAME  THAT  BURNS. 

COMFORTER  DIVINE,  THOU  ART  THE  WINE  THAT 
CHEERS;  MAY  WE  EVER  OF  THY  VINTAGE  DRINK. 

99 

Once  more  the  Moon  has  waned  and  fulled,  and  with 
each  wane  and  full  many  have  come  and  many 
passed  away. 

Still  many  more  shall  come,  and  many  more  will 
follow  when  SHE  again  IN  GLORY  ROBES  HER- 
SELF. 


56  THE  SUFISM  OF  THE 


Silently  SHE    comes,    silently  SHE    departs;    SHE 

brings  to  age  the  life  of  every  mortal. 
And  as  the  Night  the  Day  remove  th,  so  doth  SHE 

the   HUMAN   GENERATIONS. 

100 

Ah,  Earthly  Home,  my  last  clasp  now  I  take,  of  all 

thy  pleasures  and  thy  sorrows  a  fond  farewell. 
Oh,  piteous  and  most  fair!  I've  LOVED  THEE  AS  A 

LOVER,and  for  my  misdeeds  let  none  other  suffer. 
Forgive  the  sins  that  I've  committed;  what  I  to 

others  have  done,  may  they  in  mercy  pardon. 
And  as  succeeding  generations  follow  MAY  THEY 

BUT  KNOW  THEE  AS  THOU  ART. 
FAREWELL!     FAREWELL!     OH,    FATHER!    MOTHER! 

TEACHER!     May  this  my  dust  be  mingled  once 

again  with  thine, 
And  o'er  my  tomb  let  the  Flurring  Petals  of  Autumn 

Blooms  keep  the  Vigil  of  this  my  last  of  many 

sleeps. 
The  Murmuring  Winds  shall  chant  the  MIZZERAN 

FOR  THE  SOUL  THAT'S  DEAD  TO  EARTH, 

And  in  thy  gentle  arms,  Oh,  MOTHER,  YIELD  I  UP 
THIS  LIFE  FOREVER!  FAREWELL!!  FARE- 
WELL!!! 

The  End. 


KING8LEY,  MOLES  A  COLLINS   CO.,  PRINTERS 
LOS   ANGELES,   CAL. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


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